NYC announces crackdown on 'ghost cars' in joint effort between NYPD, DSNY

New York City is launching a major crackdown on "ghost cars" - vehicles with missing, altered, obscured or expired license plates or registrations - through a new joint effort between the NYPD and the New York City Department of Sanitation.

Deputy Mayor Phil Banks kicked off the announcement Wednesday morning. He was joined by New York City Mayor Eric Adams, NYC Department of Sanitation Commissioner Jessica Tisch and Interim NYPD Commissioner Tom Donlon.

"We're going after them!," said Adams. "It's been ignored for so many years."

Adams said 295 "ghost cars" were seized in just five nights as the effort got underway.

"You're gonna go to sleep and you may be smug about the fact that you haven't paid any tolls or fees, but you will wake up to find your ghost car is gone," added Tisch.

A new law banning the sale of the plates in New York State went into effect September 1 .

The sale of the plates and products to obscure them has become rampant on platforms like Craigslist and TikTok, according to Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine. Those plates and products have led to $21 million in uncollected tolls and fees.

"These are people who say the rules do not apply to me not to me," said Banks.

According to reports, the illegal tactic costs New York City up to $200 million annually.

The MTA and NYPD have performed several crackdowns on toll evaders and ghost cars dating back to May.

The city also now has 15 NYPD officers who are partnering with the Department of Sanitation to go after any "ghost cars" parked on the street.

READ MORE: MTA, NYPD seize over 50 cars in toll evasion operation

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